FLINT, MI -- Residents fear the state is washing its hands of the Flint water crisis.

About two dozen residents gathered at Flint City Hall Friday, Feb. 10 -- a day after the city announced that the state would no longer pick up the tab for Detroit water and would eliminate bill credits by March 1.

Flint Rising, a group that advocates for infrastructure, leadership and justice for Flint residents affected by the water crisis, initially organized the protest to raise awareness for high water bills and shutoff threats.

But, after Thursday's announcement, protestors had a new focus.

"It just shows that the state's not taking care of their responsibilities," said Flint resident and clean water advocate Melissa Mays. "It just seems to most of us that they're trying to back out of being hands-on in Flint."

Flint resident Linda Anthony rallied with the group Friday because she's tired of paying hundreds every month for water she can't use.

As groups chanted "Flint lives matter" in the background, Anthony said she's never gotten a credit on her water bill, which has now mounted to more than $1,200.

"They're supposed to be giving us a credit. I haven't seen it," Anthony said. "We don't even use the water."

Anthony does not believe the water is safe to drink, but said he feels bullied into using and paying for it anyway.

"When everyone started saying the water was all right, they started to bully us," Anthony said. "This is called bullying."

Mays said that while she doesn't want to "pay for poison," she feels like she has no other option.

"One of the demands of Flint rising is that we don't pay for poison," Mays said. "We demand a full refund for water bills paid since April 2014, because they're completely bypassing the fact that we paid the highest rates in the United States for poisoned water and we deserve a refund like any normal consumer - if it's a faulty product you refund the water paid."

Anthony said she decided to attend the rally to keep the government in the spotlight and to raise awareness among residents that shutoffs are real and impending.

"They weren't doing this when the spotlight was on them, so now we've got to bring the spotlight back," Anthony said. "A lot of people aren't here, because they've been given false hope. Don't have false hopes. These people could actually cut you off. You could think that you've got help, but it's not there."

Resident Christina Murphy also believes the water is unsafe. Her 10-month-old son was born with lead in his blood, and she said she's still unsure of the impact it will have.

"It makes me sick that people would do this to my family. I'm an American woman, and I think I'm protected, but it's not real. Americans think nothing's going to happen like that - just wake up," she said.

Like Mays, she fears the government is saying the water is safe when it is not and is trying to pull its support for Flint residents.

The changes were announced as state officials touted improving water quality, although residents were still advised not to drink the water without proper filtration.

The state announced yesterday that it will continue to provide water filters and replacement cartridges for Flint residents for three years while officials work to replace the city's lead-tainted pipes.